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GreatNews.Life Student Voices: Andrean buckles up to prepare for the start of the new school year

GreatNews.Life Student Voices: Andrean buckles up to prepare for the start of the new school year

What’s recently happened?

Andrean High School (AHS) students are buckling up as the 2024-2025 school year approaches. 

A majority of AHS students have been in and out of the building many times this summer as they begin the very demanding – and rewarding – preparations for their fall sports. 

Many of the fall sports have begun to formulate their teams and give themselves the greatest opportunity as they begin to face their opponents. 

While AHS students are staying busy in the gym, weight room, and various playing fields, AHS faculty has been working over the summer to prep their classrooms and create the informative material they will be presenting to their students this school year. AHS is lucky to offer many rigorous courses that will be able to lead students to success in college. This wouldn’t be achievable without the hard work of the teachers.

As the teachers work on making sure AHS students will be taught the best material they can be, the maintenance team has been working all summer to remove and install new desks and furniture into the classrooms. 

This summer has been one of progress and growth for AHS, but the 59er’s have spent every spare second of their break packing it with lots of fun and entertainment. 

“My summer has been amazing! I have been very busy with preparing for my upcoming season and school, but I have had a lot of time to spend with my friends and family. I went to the pool and beach, but the majority of my time was spent at our local town fairs. My favorite festival of the summer was the St. John Fest because I was able to go every night with my friends and ride all the rides. I also spent time at the St. Michael Festival volunteering at the different games and spending time with my old classmates from St. Michael Catholic School,” AHS Junior Lizzie Cusick said.

What is coming up? 

The biggest and most exciting thing coming up for AHS students is the start of school. Although that may seem disappointing, for many, the beginning of the year is their favorite. 

With the beginning of school comes new friendships, the opportunity for new and entertaining class courses, and of course, everyone's favorite: Friday night football!

Lots of students love to dress up in different themes and come and support the football team. There is nothing like the energy at a 59er football game.

In the next few weeks, the majority of AHS fall sports teams will begin playing games. With options like football, volleyball, and soccer, there are opportunities for fans to come out and see a wide variety of talented athletes.

All the sports have a lot of love and respect for the 59er fan base and are hoping to see everyone's support these next couple of months. 

Sports may not be everyone's cup of tea, but don’t worry; the fall semester also brings the Andrean Theatre Company, AHS’s theatre club, and its fall play. It hasn’t been announced what show will be put on, but the Andrean Theatre Company never disappoints.

“I’m very excited for this new school year. I can’t wait to meet the new people that will be coming in while also focusing on my school work. People say junior year is the hardest, but I’m not stressed out about it because I know I have the wonderful support of the Andrean family backing me up.” AHS Junior Jude Scearce said. 

Community member spotlight: 

Kerry Linklater is a mother to three AHS students and is also a history teacher at AHS. 

Linklater has lived in Northwest Indiana for the past eight years. Prior to living here, she lived in Muncie, Indiana and Dayton, Ohio. 

“My favorite part about living in Indiana is the beautiful sunsets,” Linklater said. 

Before becoming a teacher at AHS, Linklater taught at Aquinas Catholic Community School in Merrillville and St. Michael Catholic School in Schererville.  

Linklater currently teaches Advanced Placement United States History (APUSH), Advanced Placement World History, and U.S. History.

Linklater can always be seen with a smile on her face, treating every student with kindness. She shows true passion while teaching and supporting AHS. 

Linklater comes to every AHS volleyball game to not only support her three talented daughters but also to show support and cheer loudly for all of her students on the court. 

“I love the sense of community at AHS and that I am able to express my Catholic faith everyday,” Linklater said. 

A big part of AHS is tradition. AHS is firmly rooted in the many traditions that the students and faculty carry on each year. 

“My favorite tradition is Kairos. I have never been, but I love hearing how transformative it is from the students when they return,” Linklater said.